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In celebration of twenty years of South Africa’s democracy, the Ichikowitz Family Foundation (IFF) launches itsAfrican Oral History Archive (AOHA) initiative to pay tribute to those who lie at the heart of the events that shaped South Africa’s modern history. The film Plot for Peace is the first of a series of political and historical documentaries produced by AOHA that will roll out this year, and will be showcased for the first time on African soil at the Durban International Film Festival which takes place from July 17 to 27. This highly acclaimed documentary lands off the back of a successful tour of the international film festival and commercial circuit, winning no less than eight awards including; Best International Feature Documentary at the 25th Galway Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The production team is led by multiple Emmy award-winning, South African filmmaker Mandy Jacobson. The team uncovered the secret story of Jean-Yves Ollivier, aka ‘Monsiuer Jacques,’ whose behind-the-scenes bargaining was instrumental in bringing about regional peace and heralding the dawn of South Africa’s long walk to freedom.

Exclusive interviews from current and former heads of state including President Joachim Chissano, former South African president Thabo Mbeki, President Denis Sassou Nguesso, and other key role players including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Pik Botha, Jorge Risquet and Chester Crocker bear vivid testimony to the secret dealings that were able tosecure regional peace and end the system of segregation that threatened to bring South Africa to its knees.

“In this narrative, we discover a story that Jean-Yves Ollivier kept secret for over thirty years. It was like finding a character straight out of a John LeCarre novel and we were thus able to craft this true life historic story as a political thriller,” said Producer and Director Mandy Jacobson.

As a result of his contribution to democracy, Jean-Yves Ollivier received one of South Africa’s highest honours twice, the first time by last stalwart of apartheid, P.W. Botha, and the second time by the first President of the new South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Seen in commercial cinemas in France, United Kingdom and Spain thus far, Plot for Peace was produced by AOHA, a heritage preservation initiative funded by the IFF.

Ivor Ichikowitz, chairman and founder of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation notes, “The inspiration for this film emerged from hundreds of hours of original testimony around the liberation of South Africa gathered by the AOHA and demonstrates the importance of documenting our Continent’s acclaimed and unknown history makers. Subscribing to best journalistic practice, AOHA adopts no single point of view in its work, but rather, provides the raw material for open storytelling, the hallmark of democratic societies.”

The premiere screening at the Durban International Film Festival, will be attended by protagonist Jean-Yves Ollivier, Director and Producer Mandy Jacobson and Founder and Chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, Ivor Ichikowitz.

Fresh off the DIFF circuit, Plot for Peace will then move to Johannesburg for a one week theatrical release at the Cinema Nouveau in Rosebank starting on Friday 1st August and running until Thursday 7th August. Tickets will be available online and at the cinema.

Second AOHA film to be screened at DIFF

Another of the AOHA’s Tribute series, Rainbow Makers: Tribute to Frontline States, will also be screened at DIFF on 20th and 23rd July.

Presented by the inimitable Shaka Sisulu, a child of exile himself, this portrait recognizes the extraordinary alliance known as “The Frontline States”, whose generosity and bravery provided a home in exile to the longest-lived revolutionary movement on the African Continent. Featuring interviews with over seven heads of state including Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda and the intimate stories from Max Sisulu, Albie Sachs, Mac Maharaj, Pallo Jordan and Ruth Mompati, along with other exiled icons.

The Ichikowitz Family Foundation was founded by Ivor Ichikowitz, a South African Industrialist and Philanthropist with a passion for Africa and its people. The Foundation carries forward a long family tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship and community engagement.

The Foundation is committed to being:-

a torchbearer for innovation through education and skills development

promoting understanding of our complex history by spreading the good news about Africa

building self-believe and confidence among Africans

·conservation of the continent's biodiversity.

The Foundation’s African Oral History Archive (AOHA) initiative aims to safeguard Africa’s dynamic heritage for future generations. In a global effort, over 150 interviews have been recorded, giving unprecedented access to all those who have been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s modern history. The Archive charts the incremental changes, revolutions, set-backs and victories in Africa’s complex history and brings these stories to audiences across the globe

For the Celebrating Twenty Years of Democracy initiative, a six-part series called Rainbow Makers marks this historic event and will be shown on SABC during Heritage Month in September 2014.